President Barack Obama waves as he boards Air Force One before departing to Colorado, Friday, June 29, 2012, at Andrews Air Force Base, Md. (Associated Press)

WASHINGTON, D.C. — President Barack Obama has declared that a major disaster exists in fire-ravaged Colorado and has ordered that federal aid be made available to supplement state and local recovery efforts in areas affected by the High Park Fire in Larimer County and the Waldo Canyon Fire in El Paso County, the White House press office announced this morning.

Obama was scheduled to visit the Colorado Springs area this afternoon to survey the damage from the Waldo Canyon Fire.

The president's emergency disaster declaration will make federal funding available to state and local governments and private non-profit organizations, on a cost-sharing basis, including direct federal assistance. The White House said federal funding will also be available for crisis counseling and disaster unemployment assistance for individuals affected by the High Park and Waldo Canyon fires.

Federal Emergency Management Agency officials said fire damage surveys are continuing in other parts of Colorado. They said more counties, and additional forms of assistance, may be designated after those assessments are completed.

Colorado John Hickenlooper had requested an expedited major-disaster declaration. The governor's office said Thursday evening that the White House had accepted his request.

“We appreciate the quick review and response,” Hickenlooper said in a statement. “With this funding, we will be able to provide much needed assistance to our communities affected by wildfires."

The governor said the disaster declaration, along with the president's visit to Colorado today, “makes clear that the whole country is with us in fighting these fires and recovering from their devastation.”

Colorado's congressional delegation said in a joint Thursday news release that once preliminary damage assessments are conducted and needs identified, the federal assistance could include temporary housing, home repairs or replacements, debris removal and the restoration and repair of public facilities.

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